Ashok Leyland Intros Premium Entry-Level LCV SAATHI At Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025

Ashok Leyland Intros Premium Entry-Level LCV SAATHI At Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025

Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and the country’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, unveiled its premium entry-level light commercial vehicle (LCV) offering ‘SAATHI’ at the ongoing Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. Ashok Leyland is displaying its products at Stand Number H6 - 10, Hall No 06 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

Built on cutting-edge LNT technology, SAATHI is designed to be a market disruptor and boasts best-in-class power (45 HP), torque (110 Nm) and a 24 percent greater loading area than its competitors. Its higher mileage, bigger tyres and unrivalled payload capacity of 1,120 kg guarantee outstanding performance and economy. AdBlue is no longer necessary thanks to the ground-breaking LNT technology, which also lessens operating difficulties. SAATHI is positioned as the greatest last-mile urban mobility vehicle in its class because of its exceptional riding comfort and 5-year/200,000-kilometre guarantee. SAATHI's FSD variant is priced at INR 649,999.

Dheeraj Hinduja, Executive Chairman, Ashok Leyland, said, “Ashok Leyland has always been a pioneer in the introduction of new technologies in commercial vehicles.  Introduction of SAATHI reinforces our readiness to lead the transformation in road transport. We remain committed to sustainability, and SAATHI as well as other next-gen vehicles being showcased today are set to raise the bar on customer value proposition in the commercial vehicle business. I am confident that with progressive introduction of new products, we would address growing opportunities in overseas markets competitively, which is a thrust area for us.”

Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland, said, “With SAATHI, we are trying to shatter a long-held belief that entry-level commercial vehicle customers need to compromise on power, loading capacity, features, comfort and safety. SAATHI brings a ‘no-compromise attitude’ in the entry level SCV segment, bringing pride for operators and additional earnings for the owners. SAATHI solidifies Ashok Leyland's position as a full range commercial vehicle leader in the country.”

The first multi-axle, front-engine, 15-metre completely constructed premium bus in India, the GARUD 15, was also unveiled by Ashok Leyland at the Expo, establishing a new benchmark for the sector. This cutting-edge platform, which was created especially for long-distance intercity travel in India's varied road conditions, maximises bus operators' per-trip revenue by providing the largest saloon space capacity in the industry – 42 sleeper berths – a roomy luggage compartment, and the highest GVW in its class – 22,500 kg. Long trips are made safe and fatigue-free for drivers and passengers thanks to the ergonomically built 3-way adjustable driver seat and a number of other cutting-edge technologies like ADAS and DMS.

Another cutting-edge Ashok Leyland product on exhibit is the nation's first Electric Port Terminal Tractor. This market has been waiting for an electric powertrain solution that offers port freight operators an outstanding TCO and the possibility for port owners to transition to sustainable solutions. They are expected to be among the first to deploy electric trucks. The new eTIRAN Terminal Tractor from Ashok Leyland is set to revolutionise port operations in the nation. It has a 360-degree view and an easy-to-enter/exit air-conditioned cabin, features a customisable battery range of 180-350 kilometres and is outfitted with cutting-edge safety features like hill start assist and ADAS for safety alerts.

New Holland Launches HD And XHD Series Rotary Tillers In India

New Holland Tillers

New Holland, a brand of CNH Group, has expanded its farm mechanisation portfolio in India with the launch of its new HD and XHD Series Rotary Tillers (Rotavators). The new range is manufactured at the company’s facility in Pune.

The equipment is designed for diverse soil types and agro-climatic zones, aiming to improve soil preparation, productivity, and field performance. A high swing diameter facilitates deeper tillage, improving seed-to-soil contact. The heavy-duty multi-speed gearbox allows farmers to adjust operations based on specific soil conditions, which the company states helps optimise fuel use and save time. The units incorporate Metal Twin-Faced (MTF) seals to protect the rotor hub from water ingress, and utilise DTM paint technology for corrosion resistance.

Tarun Khanna, Director Marketing (AG) India, New Holland, said, "Farm mechanisation is increasingly becoming a key driver of agricultural productivity and efficiency in India. As farmers look for equipment that can deliver superior performance, durability and operational efficiency, the demand for reliable mechanisation solutions continues to grow. The launch of our HD and XHD Series Rotary Tillers reinforces New Holland's commitment to supporting Indian farmers with advanced implements that are engineered for demanding field conditions and designed to enhance productivity."

Following the national unveiling at the company's Greater Noida facility, New Holland plans to introduce the range through a series of dealer-level launches across India. This release is part of the brand’s broader strategy to offer a comprehensive suite of agricultural implements to support modern farming practices.

Chartered Speed Deploys Electric Buses Across 18 Cities Under PM e-Bus Sewa

Chartered Speed

Chartered Speed is deploying nearly 3,000 electric buses across 18 cities in India as part of the Pradhan Mantri e-Bus Sewa & e-Drive Scheme. The company aims to enhance public transportation in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, with the full network projected to cover 200 million kilometres annually.

To support these operations, Chartered Speed has implemented a technology-led infrastructure, including a Command & Control Centre for fleet monitoring and structured training programmes for drivers.

The company has already commenced operations with 55 electric buses, including 25 nine-metre buses (27-seaters) and 30 seven-metre buses (22-seaters) in Shillong, Meghalaya. The launch was led by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.

Furthermore, in Rajasthan, it is managing an order for 876 buses across the state, with initial operations started for 29 buses in Jaipur and 18 buses in Bhilwara, inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.

Sanyam Gandhi, Whole-Time Director, Chartered Speed, said, "The commencement of electric bus operations in Shillong, Jaipur and Bhilwara marks an important milestone in our larger vision of deploying 3,000 electric buses across 18 cities under the PM e-Bus Sewa & e-Drive Scheme. These deployments reflect the growing momentum of electric mobility adoption across India and reinforce our commitment to delivering reliable, efficient and environmentally responsible transportation solutions. Through continued partnerships with state governments and transport authorities, we aim to make public transit cleaner, more accessible and more efficient while contributing meaningfully to India’s clean mobility journey."

Tata Motors Secures Orders For Over 3,400 Electric Commercial Vehicles

Tata Motors eSCV

Mumbai-headquartered commercial vehicle major Tata Motors has secured orders for more than 3,400 electric commercial vehicles (eCVs), covering freight, logistics and passenger mobility sectors. The orders include approximately 2,000 small commercial vehicles (SCVs) & pick-ups, 900 trucks and 500 buses.

The eCVs will be deployed across industries, including e-commerce, logistics, FMCG, FMCD distribution, intra-city transport, mining and inter-city passenger travel.

The company stated that electric mobility in commercial vehicles is shifting from early adoption to large-scale deployment in India, with usage expanding across segments and real-world applications.

Tata Motors stated that it is leading this transition with the widest portfolio of electric commercial vehicles, supported by an enabling ecosystem that ensures electrification is both practical and profitable. Beyond vehicles, the company is partnering closely with fleet owners and customers to optimise performance, uptime, charging and financing across the entire lifecycle. As adoption of electric commercial vehicles deepens, Tata Motors remains focused on delivering customised, end-to-end solutions that enable customers to transition confidently and seamlessly to zero-emission mobility.

Portfolio Expansion

Over the past 12 months, Tata Motors has expanded its eCV portfolio to include Ace Pro EV, Ace EV, and Intra EV for distribution in the Small Commercial Vehicles segment.

Ultra EV range (7-12T), Prima EV 55T tractor and Prima EV 28T tipper in the Intermediate and Heavy-Duty segment. For passenger mobility, it has introduced the Starbus EV and Ultra EV buses.

Till date, Tata Motors has over 3,800 electric buses in operation, which have covered a cumulative distance of more than 550 million kilometres. Additionally, there are over 17,000 Tata eSCVs on the road.

To support the adoption of these vehicles, the company has established a charging network through partnerships with over 14 charge point operators, alongside financing solutions, fleet management tools via Fleet Edge and uptime assurance programmes.

Prawaas 5.0

Prawaas 5.0, India’s premier multimodal passenger mobility event, is scheduled to take place from 9–11 July 2026 at the Helipad Exhibition Centre (HEC) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Guided by the central theme, ‘Towards Safe, Smart & Sustainable Public Transport,’ the flagship event will gather government authorities, fleet operators, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), technology developers and investors to accelerate the adoption of integrated, efficient and environmentally responsible public transit systems.

The 5th edition of the event is organised by the Bus and Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI) and is hosted by the Akhil Gujarat Pravasi Vahan Sanchalak Mahamandal and co-hosted by both the Gujarat Luxury Cab Owners Association and the Gujarat Tourist Vehicles Operators Association. MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications serves as the event curator.

As India's transit sector undergoes a structural transformation driven by electrification, regulatory safety updates, and digital network integration, Prawaas 5.0 aims to serve as a catalyst for fostering dialogue between state transport undertakings, central policymakers and private fleet operators.

The event will also showcase intelligent transport systems (ITS), digital ticketing frameworks, AI-driven fleet telematics and clean-energy mobility solutions.

It provides an on-ground platform for new vehicle product launches, strategic business matchmaking and infrastructure investment.

Building upon its previous editions, the three-day convention is projected to secure comprehensive representation from all 36 Indian States and Union Territories. The last edition attracted over 15,000 industry professionals, more than 10,000 bus & car operators and featured over 300 leading mobility companies.  The event was attended by more than 1,500 delegates, supported by over 60 expert speakers across technical panels and industry conferences.

The large-scale exhibition will serve as an interactive arena for stakeholders across the commercial mobility value chain to address current operating challenges, such as unit economics and infrastructure constraints, while establishing partnerships to modernise India's passenger transport network.